John Lennon Sculpture Unveiled in San José, Costa Rica
And not just following suit. San José’s city fathers have copied Havana by commissioning Cuban artist José Ramón Villa to create a sculpture of John Lennon, which was unveiled last Friday across from the Iglesia de la Soledad church, on Plaza Artigas (Calle 9 & Ave. 4).
San José Mayor Johnny Araya unveiled the $14,000 statute—a carbon-copy of Ramón Villa’s original, which occupies the southeast corner of Parque Lennon
, in Havana, Cuba. The life-size bronze figure shows Lennon cross-legged, left-arm casually draped over a bench, and the inscription “Imagine all the people living life in peace” at his feet.
Lennon remains as controversial in death as in life.
Although hundreds of fans flashing peace signs gathered to celebrate the statue’s unveiling (a fitting tribute to a peace-loving nation), religious nuts decried the sculpture because of Lennon’s 1966 statement that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.”
The event was given added prominence with concerts by Costa Rica’s all-girl The Beagirls and an ensemble from the San José Symphony Orchestra.
Plaza Artigas has several other sculptures of note.
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